THE CALEDONIAN LEAD.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 151, 24 January 1868, Page 2

THE CALEDONIAN LEAD.

(from: our own correspondent.) The population of the Caledonian diggings is increasing daily, a great many of the miners being diggers who were either unsuccessful or worked out at the Mokihinui. The ground is already marked off for a considerable distance, especially to the northward of the Caledonian Lead. The latest rush which took place last Friday, is to a terrace at a higher elevation than the Caledonian, and situated about a quarter of a mile to the northward of that terrace. It is about half-a-mile in length and is called the Ballarat Terrace, and from all appearances I should imimagine that the Caledonian Terrace is a slip from the Ballarat terrace. A creek runs both north and south of it. The new terrace was discovered by David Stephenson, one of the original prospectors of the Caledonian Lead, who sold his share some six or seven months ago, for £250, which I fancy he would not have done had he any presentment that it would have turned out so handsomely as it has done Mr. Stephenson having faith in the locality determined to prospect the adjoining country, and in conjuction with his mates persevered, and the discovery of the new lead is the result. Having succeeded they determined to keep the matter quiet, but it soon leaked out that they had struck payable gold; in fact, before they had received their proper allowance of ground, and through neglecting to peg it off, the ground was rushed almost to the mouth of their shaft. There are two distinct leads of gold in their claim, the upper one consisting of fine gold, and the lower one, which is about 12 feet deeper, coarse gold; and it is thought that another lead will be found in the same claim. There are three runs of gold in the Caledonian terrace all on false bottoms. Nine shafts have bottomed all on payable gold. The depth of sinking is about 60 feet, with two feet of washdirt. In consequence of the depth of sinking and the difficult nature of the ground caused by boulders being frequently met with, the work proceeds but slowly, and it is therefore almost useless for the penniless miner, as we have said before, to go up there, for the sinking is expensive, and unless the miner haseither money or is helped by some storekeeper, it is impossible for

him to proceed. Preparations are being made to erect substantial buildings on the terraces, which augurs very well for the prosperity of the place. The southward claim on the Caledonian Lead, Braithwaite and party, have struck very rich gold, as much as one pound to tho set having been washed out by them. Upon discovering the run of the lead, they took steps to secure as much ground as they could forthwith. The run of the lead is supposed to be the same as in the original prospectors', and the dividends are very large, averaging from £SO to £OO per week per man. Prospectors are very busy in this locality, and have been so for some time past, and before long it is expected that rich ground will be discovered. Mr Smith, of the Orawaite, has had parties prospecting a terrace about two miles to the westward of the Caledonian Lead for the last three or four months. They got very good prospects, but the wash was not sufficient to pay more than £3 per week. Moore and party drove a tunnel into the same terrace, 220 feet, and then commenced to block out. They expect it will pay between £5 and £0 per week per man. Moore's claim is adjoining Smith's claim, which was abandoned; but it was taken up immediately afterwards. This terrace is called Poverty Terrace. Two claims have struck payable gold in the bend below the Ballarat Terrace. A third shaft is going down and expecting to strike the lead daily. The track is in a disgraceful condition, and the lagoon is knee deep in mud. The traffic is increasing daily and loud are the complaints of the miners and storekeepers respecting the track. If the business people of Westport are in any way interested in the success of this district they should certainly make some effort in order to have a good road made to it. There is some little talk about the elections, but it ia not probable that many miners will be present in "Westport to record their votes.

Deadman's Creek is all but deserted, the greater majority of the diggers having left for the Caledonian. Thursday, Jan. 23. This place had a visit from three of the rival candidates on Wednesday. Mr Crate first put in an appearance, and the whole of the population having assembled in front of Mr Earlane's store, and Mr Meehan having taken the chair, Mr Crate proceeded to address the meeting, stating his views on the various questions, which were identical with those he expressed at Westport, and discussed at some length on the badness of the tracks. He promised to present a petition on the subject. Mr. G-raham then made his appearance, and Mr Braithwaite took the chair. Mr Graham expounded his views on political and other matters, which were similar to those expounded elsewhere.

The last one was Mr Thomas Goodwin, who read an address which appeared in your contemporary. A scene now ensued, and cabbages, turf, and other missiles flew about plentifully, during which the candle was knocked out and Mr. Goodwin and his chairman (Mr Jackson) beat a hasty retreat, and the meeting then broke up.